K’naan reviewed
K’naan
The Dusty Foot Philosopher
(Independent Media)
MC and poet K’naan has no shortage of real-life struggles to speak on being a refugee of Mogadishu, Somalia, the place he calls “the most dangerous city in this universe.”
But on the deluxe re-release of his 2005 LP, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, the artist (now living in Canada) doesn’t exploit his first-hand encounters with the Somali civil war. Instead he offers vivid glimpses of his past bullet-ridden environment (“What’s Hardcore”) and ultimately makes music to cope with his struggles. On the perseverance anthem “Smile,” he growls on the chorus: “Never let ’em see you down/smile while you bleeding.”
His poetics alone don’t carry his sonic therapy, though, as the wide-ranging beats on this album make most hip-hop production look one-note in comparison. The re-recorded version of “Stugglin'” is an irresistible indie rock-styled single accented by mellow guitar strums, keys, and background vocals — a testament to K’naan’s contemporary capabilities. But then, with songs like “Hoobaale,” he eliminates most signs of technology drawing only from acoustic East African string and percussive instruments with just as much attainment.
It’s no surprise this album was awarded the Juno Award for “Rap Recording Of The Year” and this re-release will perhaps give The Dusty Foot Philosopher a deserved proper chance in the U.S.
— Max Herman
Click here to download “Can’t Say No.”
